Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do when I graduate?

The skills you gain in this course will help you to be successful in:

Enhancing herbal medicine use in your life…and practice
Making a living as an herbalist
Enhancing or building a botanical consulting practice/ consulting in another practitioner’s office
Writing/publishing in herbal magazines
Teaching at herbal events, conferences, and schools
Making and selling herbal products
Starting your own or working for an herbal medicine company
Consulting for industry in formula development
Starting any number of herbally-related businesses

Will this course prepare me to become a practicing herbalist?

Yes. This course provides the academic foundation you need to practice botanical medicine for women’s health. If you are not a licensed clinician, you’ll still need clinical training before you go out there and hang your shingle. The good news is that successfully graduating from this course gives you caché and a letter of recommendation from me that is likely to help you land a great internship if you want to go further with your clinical training.

If you are already a clinical practitioner with prescribing rights, you might want to do a short internship to see an herbalist in action, but in general, you will be able to use the knowledge gained in this course to add herbs right into your prescribing repertoire.

How long does it take to complete the course?  How many hours of total study?

Since everyone studies and learns at their own pace, it is impossible to quantify this exactly. I estimate that working at 3-4 hours/week you can reasonably complete this course in 18-24 months. Many students choose to take longer, working at a slower pace because of busy lives, or simply savoring the materials.

What credentials are conferred upon completion?

Upon successful completion of this program you may call yourself a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator. Graduates receive a gorgeous frameable diploma.

Are Continuing Education credits available to students of the course?

Herbal Medicine for Women has been approved for the following CEUs:

Certified Nurse-Midwives: American College of Nurse Midwives, Program #2014/007
Naturopaths: Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners, #PDP-HMW
Acupuncturists: California Acupuncture Board, Provider #1044
Meets Category 1 requirements for the recertification of Certified Professional Midwives (North American Registry of Midwives).
Approved for up to 103 CE units by the National Board for Certified Health & Wellness Coaches, Provider # 100092

Please contact us with any questions about CEUs.

What are the completion requirements?

The WomanWise Certified Women’s Herbal Educator™ Program requires passing grades for all online quizzes, completion of all self-study assignments, and the successful completion of a final exam.

What is the cost of the course and how can I pay?

US Students: $2,150.00

International Students pay an additional $25 for shipping of Aviva’s textbook.

Is there a payment plan?

The HMW payment plan allows you to pay for the course in installments. You pay $1100.00 at the time of enrollment and then 6 monthly payments of $200. Students have access to all Unit 1 course materials and all student resources (i.e. archives, FB group, etc.); access to Units 2-4 course materials is opened at the completion of the payment plan. International Students add an additional $25 for shipping. (The payment plan cannot be used with the Study Group discount.)

I heard that there is a special discount for Study Groups. Is this true?

Study groups can register at a special discounted rate! When three or more women register together, the cost per student is $1850 ($1800 if you already have Aviva’s textbook). All study group payments must be received in full before materials will be sent. There are no payment plan options for study groups. International Students add an additional $25 for shipping.

Are there any additional expenses beyond tuition?

Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy (Mills and Bone)
Obstetrics and Gynecology at a Glance (Norwitz and Schorge)
Botanical supplies for hands-on medicine making (about $150 total using HMW student discounts at Mountain Rose Botanicals)

Additional Requirements

Internet access is required.

Not the ‘student-type’? Not to worry!

This WomanWise course will spark your personal confidence, empowerment, and creativity. You will be supported by a community of adult learners. And you can learn and complete materials at your own pace. Final projects are fun, and have ranged from art to academics. One student created an herbal kit for her daughters to take to college! Another created a website on postpartum herbal care. And there are no surprises in the final exam! This course is designed for you to grow, learn, and succeed.

About distance learning

Distance learning is an excellent model for busy women — and aren’t we all! It allows us to learn in the comfort of our own homes, at our personal pace, with a cup of tea in hand! Online learning models offer multimedia personal touches like video and audio that you can download whenever you have the chance. And distance learning is now a highly respected form of education – I went back to college via distance-learning university program!

Distance learning does require a certain amount of motivation and self-discipline, but most of my courses include a forum with other learners so you always have supportive allies cheering you on – including me! And with the short courses there are no grades or exams. It’s just learning for your pure pleasure! Drop those old school anxieties and finally learn what you want to – with no pressure!